China and Tajikistan to expand cooperation in trade, energy and artificial intelligence

Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda in Dushanbe on Sunday, saying China is ready to deepen cooperation with Tajikistan under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Li said the two countries intend to better align their development strategies and expand cooperation in trade and investment, green minerals, connectivity, clean energy and artificial intelligence.

China is also ready to import more high-quality products from Tajikistan and support Chinese companies investing and doing business in the country. Beijing said it hopes Tajikistan will continue to provide a favorable business environment.

The two sides also focused on people-to-people exchanges. Li called for broader cooperation in culture, education, healthcare, sports and local-level exchanges, along with stronger law-enforcement and security cooperation.

Against the backdrop of a complex international environment, Li said China and Tajikistan, as members of the Global South, should coordinate more closely and strengthen cooperation within the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the China-Central Asia mechanism and other multilateral platforms.

Li noted that next year will mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Tajikistan and said the two sides should use the occasion to further strengthen strategic mutual trust.

Rasulzoda said Tajikistan-China relations are currently at their highest level in history and expressed readiness to expand cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, transport and logistics, energy, minerals, the green economy, the digital economy and artificial intelligence.

Following the talks, the two sides signed a number of cooperation documents covering infrastructure, education, anti-corruption and standardization.

According to CCTV+, Li's visit to Tajikistan also includes participation in the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states.